Written Answers Nos. 893-908
893. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a project (details supplied) is suitable for sports capital funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26811/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. It is open to voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and ETBs (Education and Training Boards) and schools to apply for funding under the Sports Capital Programme during open application periods. It should be noted however, that the Sports Capital Programme does not fund commercial operations.
As the Deputy will be aware, all Departments are currently engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of finalising the Budget for next year. Once this Estimates process is finalised, I expect to make an announcement in relation to a new round of the Sports Capital Programme.
894. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the concerns (details supplied) of residents in Milltown, County Kerry, will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26821/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including the R563) in Milltown, Co. Kerry is the statutory responsibility of Kerry County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.
Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
While my Department is responsible for general legislation in regard to traffic matters, it has no direct role in relation to the erection of road signage. However, the recently updated 2010 Traffic Signs Manual, which constitutes a Direction of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, provides local authorities with detailed guidance regarding the design, application and placement of road signs for use on national, regional and local roads and on motorways in Ireland. Issues regarding the placement of signage on regional and local roads is a matter for the local authority and they need to be resolved at local level.
895. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total travel expenses and reimbursement costs incurred by his Department per annum from 2011 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26869/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. The figures in the table include details of Travel & Subsistence costs, including re-imbursements and direct payments to the Department's Travel Provider.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2011 |
€944,621.16 |
|
2012 |
€1,099,712.00 |
|
2013 |
€1,198,074.78 |
|
2014 |
€979,193.23 |
|
2015 |
€977,498.23 |
|
2016 To date |
€732,047.76 |
896. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has a specific data protection officer in place; if that position is exclusive or if the position holder has other duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26885/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport does have a designated person in place who acts as Data Protection Officer for the Department. The data protection function forms part of a wider set of functions under the responsibility of the Officer.
897. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reverse the recent decision by the NTA to cut funding for cycleways, including segregated cycle paths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26914/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
Under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme, my Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the GDA for the implementation of sustainable transport projects such as cycling/walking infrastructure, Quality Bus Corridors, safety, integration and traffic management projects throughout the region. Funding of €23.2m has been allocated to this Programme in 2016. Of this total, I understand that NTA has allocated €14.7m to Dublin City Council to progress 37 different projects including the cycling projects mentioned by the Deputies.
The STMG funding programme is completely separate from the Luas Cross City Project and I can confirm that funding has not been diverted from the STMG programme to the Luas Cross City project which is being constructed within budget and which is on target for the commencement of passenger services at the end of 2017.
However, I am advised by the NTA that with the technical resource requirements available to the Council, not all the desired projects can be progressed simultaneously. The NTA and Dublin City Council have therefore decided to prioritise the works associated with Luas Cross City plus a slightly reduced number of other sustainable transport schemes and to pause a small number of other projects (including those mentioned by the Deputies) all of which are at the design stage only. Works will resume at the earliest possible date.
898. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that an association (details supplied) prohibits participants in the sport from having any vote in the affairs of the association or in the election of its governing body in view of the fact that the association has historically been and is currently recognised by Sport Ireland as the sport's national governing body, which recognition, given the exclusion of ordinary participants in the sport from the body, is ultra vires to the terms of the Irish Sports Council Act 1999, as amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26918/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the recognition of sporting organisations as National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) and the allocation of funding to NGBs.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
899. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grounds upon which a national governing body which does not allow any democratic participation of members is recognised as a national governing body by Sport Ireland; and the checks in such circumstances performed by his Department or Sport Ireland regarding the way public funds given to such a national governing body are spent. [26919/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the recognition of sporting organisations as National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) and the allocation of funding to NGBs.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
900. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all groups or entities in receipt of public funds from Sport Ireland must fulfil criteria (details supplied); and if not, the reason therefor. [26920/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the recognition of sporting organisations as National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) and the allocation of funding to NGBs.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
901. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the road speed at a location (details supplied); if he will consider reducing this speed due to the volume of lorries that travel on the road and the residential nature of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26925/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic Act 2004 provides that elected members of County and City Councils may make by-laws setting Special Speed Limits on public roads in their administrative areas. Any proposed alteration of the existing speed limit applying to the stretch of road in question is a matter for the local authority, which in this case is Kildare County Council.
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland are available on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie. These Guidelines reiterate that the making of Special Speed Limit by-laws is a matter for the elected members of local authorities, subject to following Department Guidelines and to the consent of TII in the case of national roads.
At the time of the issuing of these Guidelines, local authorities were requested to review and update all speed limits in their administrative areas in accordance with the Guidelines and this is currently on-going. In the case of national roads, local authorities were requested to undertake this review in conjunction with TII.
902. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commission an independent study into the safety of zebra crossings as a potentially efficient and cost-effective measure that could be implemented to assist pedestrians crossing roads, given that some local authorities claim they are unsafe. [26937/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe installation of zebra crossings on regional and local roads is a matter for local authorities, and on national roads, in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. I am not aware of any concerns raised by individual local authorities regarding the safety of such crossings.
Controlled crossings, such as zebra crossings have an important role to play in urban areas. While guidance on their use is set out in both the Traffic Management Guidelines (TMG) and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), the legal requirements for zebra crossings are set out in the Traffic Signs Manual.
Zebra crossings are generally used on roads where a speed limit of 50 km/h or lower applies but they can also be considered in certain cases on roads where a speed limit of 60 km/h applies. When used appropriately as set out in the TMG and DMURS guidance documents they can function very effectively and contribute to road safety as well as being cost effective.
My Department does not have any plans to undertake a review of zebra crossings at this time as they have a proven record in many countries and suitable advice on their use in Ireland is set out in the TMG and DMURS documents.
903. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nature of the review he is commissioning into the new runway at Dublin Airport; and the steps he has taken to ensure the daa recognises the enormous losses being experienced by residents in the area and takes appropriate steps to minimise the negative impact and provide effective compensation. [27011/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the proposed review.
My Department's National Aviation Policy, published in 2015, outlined a commitment to commission a high-level strategic capacity review of State airports in 2018. With Irish airports now experiencing a return to growth following several years of decline and Dublin Airport, in particular, experiencing exceptional growth at three times the EU average, I have decided to bring forward the review and get it underway now.
This review is about planning for the long-term. Specifically, it is envisaged that the review will consider the development of the three State airports to 2050, with the identification and prioritisation of new infrastructure development including modifications, if any, to the existing airport infrastructure. The review will include looking at options for the development of new terminal capacity at Dublin Airport – Terminal 3.
There is no intention that there will be an economic or financial review of the North Runway project at Dublin Airport. That project has already commenced, as announced by daa on 6 April 2016, and needs to be completed at the earliest opportunity in 2020. The daa has started work on addressing the planning permission conditions, some of which include noise mitigation measures such as the voluntary insulation and house buyout schemes which will be available to residents whose houses are most impacted. The daa has also established a community liaison group and is holding regular information sessions in order to keep local communities and other stakeholders informed of progress on the runway. In addition, it has held a public consultation process about the scope of an Environmental Impact Statement to be undertaken in relation to the operating restrictions foreseen in the planning conditions which it wishes to have reviewed.
On 22 September I published a policy statement about the new arrangements that I intend to put in place in relation to determining what operating restrictions are appropriate at Dubln Airport. These arrangements will ensure that the concerns of residents in the area are given due consideration.
904. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding which was spent on greenways here for the past five years in tabular form. [27063/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra905. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of the greenways here that received sanctioned funding from his Department; and the funding amount allocated to each greenway in tabular form. [27064/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra906. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of greenways here in respect of which funding was sanctioned in the past five years and that have been completed to date. [27065/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra907. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to greenways here for the past five years; and the amount of funding which has been drawn down from this allocation in tabular form. [27066/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra908. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of greenways that are in difficulty at the present time vis-á-vis planning issues, agreement with landowners and difficulties of this nature. [27067/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 904 to 908, inclusive, together.
Under the National Cycle Network (NCN) Funding Programme approximately €23.5 million was allocated over the period 2012 to 2016 to advance cycle routes that provided valuable transport and recreational infrastructure, with the added potential to enhance tourist activity for the areas concerned. This includes €10 million allocated under the Government Stimulus package 2014.
Under the first tranche of NCN funding for the years 2012/2013, fifteen cycling projects were completed by local authorities across the country with €7 million in funding provided. Under the second tranche of NCN funding for the years 2014-2016, a further three projects shared in funding of €6.3 million. Of these three projects only one (in Waterford) has been completed.
In May 2014, a €10 million investment package for greenway development was announced by Government as part of the €200 million national infrastructure package. Eleven cycling projects were selected to share in this funding and eight of these projects have now been completed.
In July 2016, €3.5 million was reallocated from the second tranche of NCN funding to projects in Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford as two of the original projects selected (Kerry and Galway) were not in a position to draw down their full allocation for 2016.
Details of the projects awarded funding are set out in the following table.
Greenway/Cycle Projects Funded/Status
National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2012-2013 - Projects Funded
|
Year |
Local Authority |
Project |
Grant award - € |
Status/Amount drawn down to date (27/9/2016) |
|
2012 |
Carlow/Kilkenny |
44.5km cycleway linking Carlow to Paulstown to Kilkenny. |
463,000 |
All projects completed and funding drawn down. |
|
Clare |
4km cycleway linking Ennistymon to Lahinch |
400,000 |
||
|
Donegal |
195.5km cycle route between Donegal Town and Newtowncunningham |
497,000 |
||
|
Fingal |
3km cycle link from Ashtown to Blanchardstown |
600,000 |
||
|
Kerry |
1.2km extension to existing cycle/pedestrian route from Killarney to Fossa |
143,000 |
||
|
Limerick |
3km extension to the Great Southern Trail (GST) from Abbeyfeale Town to Rathoran. |
290,00 |
||
|
Louth |
6.3km greenway from Omeath and Carlingford |
678,000 |
||
|
Mayo |
8.8km greenway from Castlebar to Turlough Park |
725,000 |
||
|
Meath |
3km cycle/walkway from Drogheda Ramparts to the Oldbridge Estate entrance. |
500,000 |
||
|
Monaghan |
4.5km cycle route through Monaghan Town |
471,000 |
||
|
North Tipperary |
2.8km extension to the existing N52 walkway/cycleway |
335,000 |
||
|
Offaly |
16.8km of dedicated cycle lanes along the R420 from Tullamore to Moate |
400,000 |
||
|
Roscommon |
20km of dedicated cycle lanes along the former N6 between Athlone and Ballinasloe (funding withdrawn due to inability to deliver project) |
470,000 |
||
|
Waterford City |
3.2km cycleway between Tramore and Waterford City |
289,000 |
||
|
Waterford Co |
6.4km cycleway between the City Outer Ring Road to Tramore |
310,000 |
||
|
Westmeath |
11.3km upgrading of canal tow path from Boardstown Bridge to county Boundary |
451,000 |
*Outside of the NCN Programme Kerry Co. Council received funding of €200,000 in 2012, approved in 2010, to complete the Tralee/Spa/Fenit 1.8km cycleway.
National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 - Projects funded
|
Year |
Local Authority |
Project |
Grant Award - € |
Status/Amount drawn down to date (27/9/2016) |
|
2014 |
Kerry |
Phases 2 & 3 of the Glenbeigh to Reenard Trail from Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen (26km) |
3,458,281 |
Not completed. €428,246 drawn down to date. |
|
Galway |
Galway to Moycullen Greenway (12.4km) |
2,000,000 |
Not completed. €37,059 drawn down to date. |
|
|
Waterford |
Clonea to Durrow Greenway (7.2km) (completed) |
897,739 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
Reallocation of NCN Funding from current programme - July 2016
|
Year |
Local Authority |
Project |
Grant Award - € |
Status/Amount drawn down to date (27/9/2016) |
|
2016 |
Kildare |
Spin Bridge to Chambers Bridge (section of Galway to Dublin Greenway) |
562,881 |
Work in progress. |
|
Meath |
Croboy to Moyvalley and Blackwater Aquaduct to Cloncurry (section of Galway to Dublin Greenway) |
1,972,000 |
Work in progress. |
|
|
Longford |
Abbeyshrule to Longford Bridge, Ballymahon (15.2km) (extension to Mullingar to Abbeyshrule Greenway) |
513,000 |
Work in progress. |
|
|
Westmeath |
Garrycastle to White Gates (2.2km) (extension to the Mullingar to Athlone Greenway) |
496,187 |
Work in progress. |
Stimulus Funding 2014 - Projects Funded.
|
Year |
Local Authority |
Project |
Grant Award - € |
Status/Amount drawn down to date (27/9/2016) |
|
2014 |
Clare |
Phase 1 of the West Clare greenway from Ennis to Ballymacquiggan (5km) |
400,000 |
Scaled back 3.5km project delivered. €388,097 drawn down. |
|
Kerry |
Phase 1 of the Glenbeigh to Reenard Trail from Cahirciveen to Reenard Point (Fertha Greenway) (5.7km) |
450,000 |
Not completed. €72,693 drawn down to date. |
|
|
Kerry |
Tralee Fenit Trail - Phase 1 Rock Street to Casement Station (.42km) |
345,000 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
|
|
Kildare |
Arthur's Way Greenway - Leixlip to Oughterard via Celbridge/Castletown (25km) |
311,000 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
|
|
Limerick |
Patrickswell to Limerick City cycleway (4.14km) # |
420,000 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
|
|
Mayo |
Monasteries of the Moy (14km) - part funding of overall project |
250,000 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
|
|
Roscommon |
Boyle to Lough Key Forest Park (24km) - part funding of overall project |
400,000 |
Not completed. €305,371 drawn down to date. |
|
|
Tipperary |
Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir Greenway (20km) |
1,900,000 |
Not completed. €920,625 drawn down to date. |
|
|
Waterford |
Kilmeaden to Bilberry Greenway (20km) |
1,100,000 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
|
|
Westmeath |
Athlone to Mullingar Greenway (40km)# |
4,000,000 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
|
|
Westmeath |
Coolnahay to the County Boundary (14.4)# |
700,000 |
Completed and funding drawn down. |
*Additional funding awarded to Kildare (104k); Limerick (155k); and Weathmeath (3.2m).
